meanwhile, useful from my perspective to lock in some additional revenue to help on the medium term deficit. >> people on the left this whole idea of comprehensive tax reform unleashing economic growth is nonsense. is that -- >> most of the evidence suggests that there is some benefit from a more sensible tax code. i think in 2013 itself, we have larger problems in the sense of inadequate demand, but i think it's hard to argue that we wouldn't do somewhat better with a more sensible tax code. >> one piece that you've been pushing is a consumption tax as part of this comprehensive tax deal. you know that a lot of economists think it is a good idea. we should tax consumption and get the savings rate up. it seems politically dead on arrival. i think paul voker mentioned it and in response 96 senators passed a sense of the senate resolution that this was an evil idea. >> here's the way i look at it. we're not going to get a consumption tax in this discussion this year and not next spring either. the reason it's inevitable, on the republican side, it is the way to slowly do tax reform. peter's r